Forgiveness

Forgiveness is sometimes hard for us to do. Especially if we feel like someone has offended us or our family. It’s not easy to ask for forgiveness and forgive ourselves at times. Let’s take a look at ways we can forgive and ask for forgiveness. God’s word is full of wisdom.

We’ve all done things that we need to be forgiven of. We sometimes say or do mean things to others. We should recognize our wrong doings and apologize immediately. Never wait to correct a problem. Waiting causes conflict and resentment to settle in the hearts of those we offend. Pray and ask God for the right words to say. We should always think before we act on our thoughts. Ask ourselves is this the right thing for me to do? What would Jesus do? God’s word is full of teachings on how to treat one another. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” We should strive to be kind and loving to others. Always be forgiving because God forgives us for wrong doings.

We all experience those times that we can’t seem to forgive ourselves. This makes us miserable, depressed and angry. Being unforgiving towards ourselves stems from living in our past, negative memories and thoughts of ways we’ve could’ve did something different. We must remember we’re not perfect and we make mistakes. Philippians 3:13-14 says, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus.” God doesn’t want us to live in the negative thoughts of our minds. He wants us to have compassion towards ourselves. We can’t change the past but with God we have a better present/future. He lets us know to press and reach for our mark in him. Our mark in God is forgiving, forgiveness, love, kindness, compassion, healing, his will for our lives, truthfulness and helping others.

We don’t have to live a life of unforgiveness. We can pray and ask God to give us a forgiving heart like him. He answers prayers. God always forgives all of our sins as we forgive others. At all times he is forgiving and full of grace. Let’s work to be more like Jesus and change the world around us. May God bless and keep you.